Montessori teachers are probably the “best exports” from Sri Lanka to the United States said Ms.Fernando during a dinner reception hosted by Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka Envoy to USA and Mexico to felicitate her achievement.  She further stated that Sri Lankan teachers were among the pioneers in American Montessori education who had held the torch until the US teachers were trained for this task. 

 

While congratulating Mrs. Fernando on this significant achievement of being the first Asian to receive this prestigious award in the US, Ambassador Wickramasuriya commented that “Not only does this award bring much honor to you, but it also brings great pride to Sri Lanka. Mrs. Fernando has proved that the Montessori teachers from Sri Lanka are very special.” he said.  

 

Ambassador Wickramasuriya further highlighted that receiving this prestigious award from the American Montessori Society would reflect positively on Sri Lanka and the Montessori movement in Sri Lanka as well. 

 

Executive Director of the AMS, Richard A. Ungerer who also addressed the gathering described that the Living Legacy Award is a “special tribute to an individual whose dedication and leadership has made a lasting impact on the American Montessori community.  

 

Senior Members of American Montessori Society, US Government officials, leaders of Montessori industry, members of the Sri Lankan societies were present at the occasion.